Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has approved the removal of some army roadblocks to clear the hindered Palestinian travel in the West Bank. He has said about the planning to ease streamlined checkpoints and to remove roadblocks to strengthen moderate Palestinian elements.
Israel has already assured to drive $100 million in tax money into President Abbas’ funds. He also has given indications for releasing some Palestinian prisoners too.
According to the deputy defense minister Ephraim Sneh, the inspections at as many as at 16 checkpoints would be eased. Moreover, 27 unmanned roadblocks would be removed in the process to ease the travel rules.
The crossings for people and cargo between Gaza and Israel would be accelerated the economy in Gaza and would help to reduce the poverty and despair.
On last Saturday, Olmert and Abbas had met on the first summit meeting in last one year and a half. However, Abbas had come up with the issues of prisoners and roadblocks as the priorities for his people.
On the other hand, earlier, on the question of the captured Israeli soldier by Hamas-linked gunmen for 6 months, Olmert has said he would not free any of the estimated 8,000 prisoners in Israel until the captured solider is freed.
Now the change in policy has caused anger from the father of the captured soldier and hardliner opponents in parliament. Some members of his own cabinet are not in favor of his decision of removing roadblocks.
The Israeli army commander in the West Bank, Brig. Gen. Yair Naveh said that even only a fraction of the more than 400 permanent barriers in the West Bank would be said to ease, it would aid Palestinian militants in attacking Israelis.
According to the statement issued from Olmert’s office, firstly, the checkpoints would be expanded and services extended to cut down on waiting time for Palestinians. Then, some of the roadblocks would be removed.
On the other hand, the Palestinians have welcomed the decision of removing the raod blocks and releasing some Palestinian prisoners. They considered it as a step in lifting the internal closure in the West Bank.
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